In re Acquisition of Land for the Central Industrial Park Project, Parcel 755

The City of Detroit condemned respondent’s land, on which respondent operated an automobile parts business, so that a new industrial complex could be built. The amount of just compensation the city owed respondent was determined by a jury to be $100,000. The City of Detroit appeals as of right from an order entered by the lower court denying its motion for a new trial or a judgment notwithstanding the verdict.

On appeal, the city argues that the lower court erred in allowing the owner of the property to testify that the actual price he paid for the land was not stated in the land contract and…